Nikki Garcia Files for Divorce From Artem Chigvintsev After His Domestic Violence Arrest
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev are parting ways.
Two weeks after the Dancing with the Stars pro was arrested for domestic violence, Nikki has filed for divorce, TMZ, citing online records, reported Sept. 11
The news does not come as a total surprise, as Nikki was seen without her wedding ring on two occasions following her now-estranged husband’s Aug. 29 arrest: first while boarding a private plane out of California two days later, and while co-hosting Netflix’s “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef” Sept. 2.
Similarly, outlets began reporting that the 40-year-old—who shares 4-year-old son Matteo with Artem— was looking into divorce lawyers on Sept. 3.
When reached by E! News for comment about Artem’s arrest and the divorce lawyer rumors, Nikki’s rep noted on both occasions, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”
The news of Nikki’s divorce comes two weeks after Artem was arrested in Napa, California, and charged with California penal code section 273.5 (a)PC, which is related to acts of violence against a spouse or other cohabitant. He was later released on $25,000 bail.
On the same day of his arrest, additional details came to light surrounding the incident.
According to a radio dispatch call obtained by TMZ Aug. 30, Artem called 911 for medical assistance and told dispatchers that Nikki had allegedly thrown shoes at him.
"Initially came in as requesting medical," the dispatcher said in the audio recording, per the outlet, "but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at R.P. [reporting party]."
The call noted there was an “active 415,” which is code for a “suspected disturbing of the peace,” the dispatcher went on to confirm that medical assistance was on the way, adding, "There is a child on scene."
But, according to the outlet, while Artem reportedly tried to call off the paramedics, police arrived at the scene an hour later and the 42-year-old was arrested shortly thereafter.
On why Artem was arrested, Napa County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer said in a statement to E! News at the time, "When someone is charged with felony domestic violence, usually this means there is a visible injury or credible eye witness. Our deputies felt comfortable arresting him on felony domestic violence charges."
And while Nikki has remained predominantly silent on the family matter, during her appearance on the live Netflix event, she did note, “Thank you everyone, I’m so happy to be here,” adding to a fan in the audience, “I love you, too.”
For a timeline of Artem's arrest, keep reading...
Artem Chigvintsev was arrested shortly before 10 a.m. on Aug. 29, Napa County Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Officer Henry Wofford confirmed to E! News.
Wofford noted the Dancing With the Stars pro did not was resist and was taken to the Napa County Department of Corrections. Chigvintsev was booked on a charge of felony domestic violence with a bail set at $25,000, per online records.
The professional dancer posted bail and was released from custody at 2:18 p.m. on Aug.29, Wofford confirmed to E! News. A court date has yet to be announced.
While Wofford told NBC News Chigvintsev was arrested in Yountville, Calif, he did not reveal the exact location due to a request for privacy from the alleged victim.
As a result of this request, he added, the Sheriff is also not releasing the name, gender or age of the alleged victim or the individual’s relationship to Chigvintsev. However, Wofford did have this to say about the arrest.
“When someone is charged with felony domestic violence usually this means there is a visible injury or credible eyewitness,” he told E! News, “our deputies felt comfortable arresting him on felony domestic violence charges.”
“Of course this could change with more evidence that might come through,” Wofford continued, “but at the time of the arrest the deputies felt it was a felony charge instead of a misdemeanor."
He also shared why victims may choose to keep personal information private in these cases.
“Some victims may not feel comfortable sharing all details at time the suspect is arrested,” Wofford noted. “Some victims feel embarrassed, threatened, or fear the incident may impact their family. We have to give victims adequate time and support, which help them realize we are here to help.”
In an audio recording shared by TMZ Aug. 30, a dispatcher can be heard saying Chigvintsev had initially called 911 to request medical attention after an argument in which shoes were allegedly thrown at him. However, the dispatcher said the 42-year-old later stated that medical help was no longer needed.
Still, Wofford said authorities continued with their check.
“For domestic violence, if someone picks up the phone and says, ‘You don’t have to come after all,’ we’re still going to go for a welfare check," he told Page Six. "We’re not just going to stop what we’re doing."
As of Aug. 30, Chigvintsev has yet to speak publicly on the arrest or 911 call. E! News has reached out to his rep for comment but has yet to hear back.
Chigvintsev’s arrest came less than three weeks prior to Dancing With the Stars’ season 33 premiere. However, the past Mirrorball winner—who’s appeared on 12 seasons of the competition series—was not set to be a part of this season’s cast, Page Six and Variety reported.
E! News has reached out to ABC for comment but has yet to hear back.
A rep for Nikki Garcia—who met Chigvintsev when they were paired together on season 25 of Dancing With the Stars in 2017—spoke out about his arrest the day after his booking and release.
"This is a private matter,” the rep told E! News Aug. 30, “and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time."
Chigvintsev’s arrest came three days after he and Garcia—who share 4-year-old son Matteo—celebrated their second wedding anniversary.
“Happy anniversary my love,” the ballroom dancer wrote on Instagram Aug. 26. “can’t see my life with out you. You are my everything.”
In her own post, the former WWE star quoted the lyrics from Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and posted throwback footage of the couple in Paris, where they got married in 2022.
“This song is our love story,” she wrote in the caption. “I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you!”
Shortly after Chigvintsev’s arrest, Cheryl Burke—who retired as a Dancing With the Stars pro in 2022 after 26 seasons on the show—shared her reaction to the news.
Noting Chigvintsev is someone she grew up with and lived with at one time, Burke said on her podcast Sex, Lies and Spray Tans that she was in “complete shock” over his arrest.
“My heart goes out to everyone involved,” she shared on the Aug. 30 episode, noting it was recorded the day before. “It’s just really hard for me because he was my family. I don’t know what to say here other than I hope everybody’s OK.”
In a clip of her podcast posted to TikTok, Burke also shared resources.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available,” she wrote in the caption. “Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to…https://www.thehotline.org/.”
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